I volunteer for Special Olympics all year. You don’t have to wait for the holidays to give back. And you don’t have to donate money to give. Organizations like SOMA that enhance the life of “your neighbors” throughout the year, are always looking for helpers in their sports programs and beyond! “Giving from the heart” doesn’t ever have to depend on the size of your wallet just the size of your heart! :-)

Mann_- I am SO sorry to hear that! My sister, miraculously woke up for the second time and is in hospice. We hope she will make it through the holidays for her children’s sake. As for me, I am very thankful this holiday season to still have my husband. The weekend after Thanksgiving, he suffered a massive heart attack. (unexpected and misdiagnosed.) I had him taken via ambulance to the local hospital and they did no tests at all, despite the fact that he was in severe pain (right arm) was sweating and “gray” in color. Instead they told us he had tendonitis and sent him home! with pain medication I am grateful that he is still with us. The next day I took him to another hospital and from there he was sent via ambulance to MGH in Boston. He has been home now for a little over a week and I am glad and relieved he is still with us! What you and your husband are going through must be agony beyond what I could imagine. I hope that you can have some hope and peace during the holidays. You are in my thoughts and prayers…

Macmum, this is my fourth attempt at a message for you. I keep losing them just when I’m about done. I’ll keep it as short as possible this time. I believe in miracles and hope your sister will be one of them. Also, it sounds like your husband could be considered one. I’m so happy he is still with you. We look to the holidays with sadness, but in strength from the one we follow. I pray the same strength for you and your family, and wish you all a blessed Christmas.

Thanks ladies..sadly Mr. Mac had a set back on Monday…I almost lost him to an arythmia just one block from MGH while in a meeiting. thankfully he is okay, but still in the hospital and we dont’ know if he will be home for Christmas just yet. He needs to have a defribillator/pacemaker inserted before they will release him this time. I am back to commuting to Boston everyday and totally exhausted..but have to keep reminding myself that he continues to beat the odds and I can still stick a bow on his head when he comes home and wish myself a merry christmas. Hope you all have a peaceful holiday…

Macmum, I just had a chance to read these comments again. I’m so sorry about your husband. I do hope he is home by now and getting stronger each day. I’m sure this has been a very difficult time for you and your family. I pray that God will heal your husband and that the doctors have done what’s best for him. I also pray a healthy and happy new year for you and yours. Take care!

Hey Ann, Thank you! We actually got him home around 6pm Christmas Eve. But we have a long road ahead and I’m just muddling through. After the last 30 days, all the other “stuff” that happened here seems so “small” in comparison. I appreciate your prayers and well wishes. We’re looking forward to a better 2011 and I wish the same for you and your family as you walk through your grief. Take care.

Mscmum, Debbie told us about your husband needing to have a pacemaker implanted and that he will be unable to work for months. I’m so sorry to hear this and want you to know that you and your family are continuously in my prayers. Last year appears to have been a horrific year for so many of us, but hopefully, this new year will bring healing for not only our bodies, but for our souls as well. I can imagine how hard and exhausting this is for you. Continue to draw on God’s strength, and He will guide you through this. Please take care!

Macmum, I’m sorry for not letting you know that Trace’s nana passed away just a couple of weeks before Tanya. It was very peaceful.

We’re coping and trusting in the Lord. I’m so glad the holidays are over. I was wondering about your sister as well. Is she still fighting, or has she gone to be with the Lord too?

I hope your husband is healing and getting stronger. I think it’s very difficult for a man to be in a situation like his, especially when they are used to being so busy and useful. He will have to take his time and allow himself to heal. Hopefully, he’s of the same mindset, haha! I know how exhausted you must be not just with the doctor appointments, etc. but with worrying. Although we put our trust in God, we are still human and wives. We can’t help but worry. Please know that many of us in the Sandbox are prayng for you and your husband daily.

Aww! Please tell Tin how sorry I am. Even though “nana” was on in years, missing her is still painful! My sister actually came out of the coma AGAIN…holy cow! that’s twice! she is now in a nursing facility and is doing okay for the moment…but still gravely ill. The hubby is doing better and is still healing and getting stronger. Days like today, when he can’t help out, are particularly stressful for him, but we are muddling through. We have awesome neighbors that just showed up to help me out – and mentioned how much they appreciated that he (the hubby) always came by their houses while they were stuck at work on days like today. So I guess that’s a great example of “paying it forward”. and it’s very humbling to accept help – even when you need it. But I am grateful for everything that comes my way these days. Thanks again for asking and please let Tin know that I am thinking of her while she overcomes such a huge loss.

Goodness, mum, your sister had a very strong will. Who knows what God has planned for her. Good news that your husband is healing and takingi it easy. I know how humbling it is to be in a position to accept help, but we all arrive at that place at some time. We don’t mind giving and helping, and feel blessed to do it. Remember that by allowing someone to do the same, is allowing them a blessing too. I once needed help and wouldn’t ask for it until a very dear friend told me by not allowing people who loved me to help, I was stealing their blessing. I never forgot that Godly message.

I’ll pass your message on to Trace. You and your husband will remain in our prayers daily. We’re looking for miracles in 2011 and I know we will see them.